Trolley-pole head



W. T. JONES.

TROLLEY POLE HEAD.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16. 1921.

1,408,600, Patent d Mar- 7, 1922.

/8 I wunl oz MTJ'ozws UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TROLLEY-POLE HEAD.

Application filed November 16, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. VILLIAM THOS. Jones, a citizen of the United States, residing at Panther, in the county of Mo- Dowell and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Trolley-Pole Heads of which the following is a specification reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in trolley pole heads, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which comprises a maximum of strength and which can be applied in working position with convenience and facility.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a novel and improved device of this general character having means whereby the same may be effectively secured to a trolley pole and in a manner whereby such connection affords means to assure a full flow of electrical energy from the harp to a controller or the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a harp rotatably supported by the head so that the harp is prevented from jumping the conductor wire due to abnormal bends in such Wire or in the event the position of the conductor wire varies with respect to the point of connection between the trolley pole and the motor vehicle with which said pole is associated.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved trolley pole head whereby certain important advantages are attained and the devicerendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. 1

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention maybe the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the ac companying drawings, wherein:

Flgure 1 1s a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a trolley pole head constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken sub- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. '7, 1922.

Serial No. 515,574.

Figure 3 is a view in top plan of the structure as illustrated in Figure l with the harp and wheel removed. As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, P denotes a trolley pole of a type generally employed in connection with mine locomotives or the like and which is preferably wood.

My improved head comprises an elongated metalllc member 1 adapted to overlie the outer or free end portion of the pole P and secured thereto by the bolts 2 spaced longitudinally of the member 1. Each of the bolts 2 is also directed through the pole P and through the central portions of the. clips 8 engaging the pole P from below as is particularly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Assoclated with each of the bolts 2 is the clamping nut 4 which has direct contact with the adjacent clip 3. v u The outer end portion of the member 1 1S contlnued by the angularly related extension 5, said extension 5 being integral with the member 1, said extension being of less width than the adjacent end portion of the member 1, the adjacent portion of the member 1 having its side edges, as at 6, disposed outwardly on a gradual incline so that, in the event the trolley wheel 7 should jump the trolley wire or conductor,- the head will not be caught by said wire or conductor but will freely pass thereby. The extension 5 is arranged relative to the member 1 on an obtuse angle and is disposed in a direction to intersectthe plane occupied by the pole P and to terminate rearwardly of the upper or free end of said pole.

H denotes a harp resting upon the extension 5 and providing a mounting for the trolley wheel XV. Dispose-d through the base '7 of the harp H in advance of the supporting shaft .8 of the wheel W is a bolt 9. The bolt 9 is also disposed through the extension 5 and provides means whereby the'harp H is supported for swinging movement about an axis to one side and in advance of the axial center of, the wheel lV. By this par ticular mounting of the harp H, the harp is permitted to have swinging movement about the mounting or bolt 9 to effectively compensate for undue irregularities in the trolley wire or conductor so that the wheel W is effectively prevented from jumping from its wire or conductor. This mounting of the harp H also provides for such swinging movement of the harp to permit the wheel stantiallyon the line 2-2 of Figure l; and W to maintain effective contact with the trolley wire or conductor in the event the conductor is arranged. to one side of the motor vehicle with which the pole P is associated or more particularly when a material distance to one side of the connection between the pole P and motor vehicle.

The bolt 9 is inserted through the base portion 7 of the harp H and the extension 5 of the member 1 from above and the lower or free end portion a of the shank of the bolt is reduced, providing a shouldered portion 7) which engages within the upper enlarged portion of the opening 10 in the extension through which the bolt 9 is directed. The bolt 9 also serves as a terminal for an end portion of the conductor C. The conductorC constitutes a cable of a type generally used for this purpose and extends in a generalfdirection lengthwise of the pole P.

Each of the bolts 2 hereinbefore referred to is disposed through and in electrical con nection with the conductor C, as at 11, and this is of particular advantage as the current from the trolley wire or conductor is permitted to flow in full force through the conductor C as the current which may be retarded at the connection afforded by the bolt 9 will pass through the member or plate 1 and through the bolts 2 to conductor C. The conductor C is interposed between the pole P and the clips 3.

The outer or free end of the extension 5 is provided with a returned portion 12 providing an eye with which a rope or other flexible member may be engaged to facilitate the desired manipulation of the pole P. This eye 12, however, if desired may be omitted. I

The openings in the member 1 throug which the bolts 2 pass are preferably square, with the portions of the bolts immediately adjacent the heads thereof similarly formed sothat when the bolts 2 are applied they will be held from turning and particularly when the nuts & are being tightened or loosened and which is of advantage in the mounting or dismounting of the head upon the pole P. The head of each of the bolts 2 is low and oval to reduce the possibility of catching within a' trolley frog in the event the wheel V should jump the wire or conductor at a point adjacent the heel or V of a trolley frog.

Trolley heads as now generally used have been known to catch in a trolley frog in a coal mine, pull the wire down and cause great delay and also pulling the wire out of its hanger and catching the motorman, resulting in death by electrocution. It often occurs that the wheel 1V jumps the wire or conductor with the pole P trailingahead or backing up. In most cases of this kind, the wheel W will go againstthe mine roof.

In my present invention, I have materially reduced the danger of the trolley head jamming in the mine roof as the harp H is capable of a free circular movement all the way around 011 the extension 5, thereby enabling the trolley wheel TV to quickly adjust itself to a rolling position on the roof.

It will be particularly understood that my trolley pole head is light in weight but possesses sufficient strength. This is due to the fact that I have done away with all unnecessary metal, dispensing with the old socket arrangement.

It is to be further understood that the bolts 2 coact with the member 1' and the conductor C in a manner whereby it is assured that the trolley head, in conjunction with the bolt 9, has three separate electrical connections with the conductor C which serves to advantage in maintaining the'requisite electrical contact between the conductor C and the member 1 and harp H.

It will also be understood that the harp H is capable of swinging movement to either side of the extension 501* entirely around the bolt 9'.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a trolley pole head constructed in accordance with my in vention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A trolley pole head comprising an elongated member adapted to be secured to a trolley pole, the outer end portion of said member having an angular extension, a harp mounted upon said extension, a trolley wheel rotatably supported by the harp, a member disposed through the extension and harp to support theharp for lateral swinging movement, said last named member being positioned inwardly of the axial center of the trolley wheel. supported by the harp, and a conductor in electrical connection with the last named member.

2. A trolley pole head comprising an elongated member adapted to be secured to a trolley pole,"the outer e'nd portion of 'said member having an angular extension, a harp mounted upon said extension, a trolley wheel rotatably supported bythe harp, a'member disposed through the extension and harp to support the harp for lateral swinging movement, said last named member being posi- I tioned inwardly of the axial center of the trolley Wheel supported by the harp, a conductor in electrical connection with the last named member, and means for securing the first named member to the trolley pole, said means allcrding electrical connection between said first named member and the conductor.

3. A trolley pole head comprising an elongated member adapted to be secured to a trolley pole, a harp mounted on said member, a trolley wire engaging member carried by the harp, a member disposed through the first named member and the harp to support the harp for lateral swinging movement, and a conductor in electrical connec tion with the last named member.

i. A trolley pole head comprising an elongated member adapted to be secured to a trolley pole, a harp mounted on said mem her, a trolley wire engaging member carried by the harp, a member disposed through the first named member and the harp to support the harp for lateral swinging movement, a conductor in electrical connection with the last named member, and means for securing the first named member to the trolley pole, said means affording electrical connection between said first named member and the conductor.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

WILLIAM THOS. Jones. 

